Aging is a natural process that can lead to deterioration of parts of the brain and bodily functions. Some more common forms of aging are the signs of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and eye problems.
While some of these diseases can be genetic and passed down to you from your parents or grandparents, odds are, you could develop some of them on your own, depending on the lifestyle you live, among other factors.
How lifestyle influences health problems
Lifestyle choices play a huge role in how we shape our health and wellness, but some aspects of our lives are not so easy to change. One of these aspects is our job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spends about 8.5 hours working each day during the workweek. This does not account for overtime or time spent working on the weekends.
For those who work long hours or even night shifts, there’s not a lot of time left to spend with family or participating in physical activities. The focus during off times is on buying groceries, cleaning the house, running errands or helping the kids with homework.
Jobs that increase the risks of diseases
Your job shapes the way you live your life, and unfortunately, some jobs are riskier than others when it comes to developing illnesses that attack the heart and brain. Some workers more likely to be affected include:
- Construction workers
- Warehouse workers
- Laborers
- Cashiers
- Shelf stockers
Factors that promote a healthy lifestyle
Fortunately, there are things people who work long hours can do to improve their health. Some of them include:
- Eating healthy foods
- Walking or running for at least 30 minutes per day
- Having a good night sleep
- Taking stretch and walking breaks at work
- Practicing mental exercises such as doing crossword puzzles and learning a new skill
While workers control how they get healthy outside of work, some employers could be required to make sure their employees live a healthy lifestyle at work, as well. Unfortunately, if the type of job you do cause you to fall ill or develop chronic illnesses, it might be beneficial to seek the compensation you deserve to live a healthy life.